The GIANTS can confirm Jack Buckley has torn his ACL and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The young defender was injured early in the first quarter of the GIANTS’ win over the Demons at the MCG on Saturday.

GIANTS Head of Medical Cullan Ball said:

“It’s really sad news for Jack.

“Scans following the game confirmed the initial diagnosis from our medical team that Jack tore the ACL and medial ligament in his left knee.

“He’s seeing the surgeon this afternoon in Melbourne and we expect him to undergo surgery later this week in Melbourne.”

Buckley had played every game this year in a breakout season for the 23-year-old.

Fellow defender Sam Taylor will be available for selection this weekend after recovering from a syndesmosis injury suffered in round 10.

“We gave him an extra week of training to make sure he was at full fitness,” Ball said.

“That gives us confidence he’s now ready to go and he’s available for selection this week.”

Young midfielder Nick Shipley is tracking well but will need to pass his final concussion protocols to be available to play this weekend.

Shipley missed last week’s VFL match under the 12-day protocols. 

Second-year forward Tom Hutchesson is also a test ahead of this week’s matches after recovering from a calf injury.

The GIANTS are set to take on the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL and VFL in round 17.

Injury List - July 5